Accessibility at FRATZ
» Easy-to-Read Language in German
Theater o.N. and FRATZ International have set themselves the goal of making the program more accessible with each festival edition. Article 30 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states the right of people with disabilities to equal participation in cultural life.
As a publicly funded theater, we see it as our responsibility to actively contribute to the implementation of this right. We focus on designing our program so that as many people as possible feel welcome and can plan their theater visit independently. This year, the focus is on deaf and neurodivergent audiences, and our efforts are tailored to these groups.
Contact
To inquire directly about our offerings, please contact us by email at ticket@fratz-festival.de or by cell phone at +49 (0)178 6876106. Messages can be left on voicemail, via text message, WhatsApp, or Signal.
Tickets
As the ticketing provider's website is only partially accessible, tickets can also be booked by telephone or email:
- Theater o.N.: +49 (0)30 440 92 14 or karten@theater-on.de
- FRATZ International: +49 (0)178 6876106 or ticket@fratz-festival.de
People with a registered severe disability are eligible for reduced-price tickets. If a person with a severe disability requires a companion, the companion receives a free ticket.
Wheelchair users and people with other physical or cognitive disabilities who require assistance are kindly asked to contact us in advance using one of the contact options above.
Program options for Deaf and hard of hearing audiences
Information in German Sign Language (DGS) will be available here starting end of August.
In the 2026 festival edition, we are offering three productions that are accessible to Deaf and hard of hearing audiences. One of them was developed specifically for Deaf and hearing people.
- BÄÄÄM – A dance performance for a Deaf and hearing audience (3+)
tanzfuchs PRODUKTION | Barbara Fuchs | Germany - ABC – A Painter’s Alphabet – A new circus performance (3+)
Kompani Giraff | Sweden - Shelter (Jaszak/Schutz) – A physical performance with live music (3+)
Simone de Jong Company | Netherlands
Introductions in German Sign Language will be provided for selected performance dates. These will be announced at the end of August. The performances themselves will take place without spoken language and without German Sign Language interpretation. We are currently holding back tickets for these performances.
As part of the symposium, we will provide German Sign Language and German interpretation as needed and as resources permit. This includes, among others:
If you’re interested in participating in the symposium, please contact Kata Kovacs.
Spelling of “Deaf”: The spelling with a capital “D” refers to the cultural identity of many Deaf people and expresses their affiliation with the culture and language of Deaf communities. As part of the FRATZ Festival, we have chosen the wording Deaf and hard of hearing audiences to acknowledge the fact that we are not addressing a uniform and homogeneous group. It also highlights the diverse experience, identities, and circumstances of Deaf and hard of hearing people. For more information, visit the following link: Equity Variety Artistes' Federation
Programs for neurodivergent audiences
In the 2026 edition of the festival, we are presenting a performance created specifically for neurodivergent children*.
The “Sensory Groovers” version on Saturday, October 10, is exclusively for neurodivergent children and their companions. When booking your tickets, please make sure you belong to the group in question. Audience capacity is very limited for this performance, and we want to ensure that the event reaches those for whom it is intended.
For all other performances, we have prepared so-called production descriptions. Here, we describe the flow, the sensory stimuli, and the nature of the performance so you can decide for yourselves whether the show is suitable for your family.
Certain performance dates (to be announced at the end of August) are designated as Relaxed Performances. Everyone is especially invited to these dates, particularly those who feel more comfortable in an inclusive atmosphere.
*Neurodiversity—what is it? In short, everyone’s brain works differently. The term “neurotypical” means that a person’s brain functions like that of most other people. Neurotypical people develop skills - such as social or organizational abilities - at roughly the same rate as others their age. In contrast, the term “neurodivergent” describes someone whose brain processes information differently. For example, people on the autism spectrum and those with ADHD are described as “neurodivergent.” Neurodivergent individuals often have heightened sensory perception, a great deal of creativity, and strong visual processing abilities; as a result, they may need different things, such as low-stimulus environments, more quiet, or plenty of physical activity. (Source: @specialedition_studio via Instagram)
Programs for blind and partially sighted audiences
Unfortunately, the 2026 festival edition does not include any programs specifically designed for blind and partially sighted children. We’d be happy to provide personalized advice on which programs might still be suitable for you.
Contact person: Dagmar Domrös via email at ticket@fratz-festival.de or by phone at +49 (0)178 6876106. Messages can be left on voicemail, via text message, WhatsApp, or Signal.
Texts in Leichte Sprache (easy-to-read German language)
We provide texts about the festival, attending the theater, and the individual plays in easy-to-read German language. You can find these texts summarized under the “Leichte Sprache” (Easy-to-Read Language) tab in the “Accessibility” section or on the individual pages for each production under the “Performances” tab.
The texts were created by Schriftgut | Marlene Seifert in collaboration with a review group of people with learning disabilities. http://www.schriftgut.info/
Venue Accessibility
The FRATZ venues vary greatly in terms of accessibility. Under the Venue Information tab, we are gradually compiling all details regarding travel, parking, and the physical layout of the venues.
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Offensive Tanz offers financial support for the accessibility of FRATZ International 2026, funded by TANZPAKT Stadt-Land-Bund with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and the State of Berlin with funds from the Senate Department for Culture and Europe.